Granada vs Munich

Granada

Granada has a semi-arid continental climate — hot, dry summers and cold winters. It's one of Spain's coldest provincial capitals in winter due to elevation (738m above sea level) and proximity to the Sierra Nevada. Summers are extreme with temperatures regularly above 38°C; the surrounding plains can hit 42°C. Spring and autumn are excellent. Rainfall is low (only around 350mm annually) but concentrated in winter and spring.

Munich

Munich has a continental climate with warm, sometimes hot summers and reliably cold winters — snow is common from December through February, and the city handles it with characteristic Bavarian efficiency. The Alps to the south create a unique weather phenomenon: the Föhn wind, a warm and intensely dry Alpine wind that rushes down from the mountains and can raise temperatures by 10°C in hours. Locals say the Föhn causes headaches and irritability, and statistically more disputes are filed with Munich police on Föhn days. It also brings extraordinary clarity — from the city centre you can see the Alps in sharp, almost cinematic detail. Autumn arrives damp and golden, which is precisely the backdrop for Oktoberfest.

Granada

Granada is a compact city and most tourist areas are walkable from the historic centre — though some involve significant hills (the Alhambra and Albayzín climbs are steep). The city has a small bus network (LAC). There is no metro. Taxis are inexpensive and widely available. A free electric minibus (Line C3 and C34) serves the Albayzín from Plaza Nueva — invaluable if you want to avoid the steep climb.

Walkability: The historic centre (Centro, Realejo) is very walkable and mostly flat. The Albayzín and Alhambra hill are both steep — plan for significant uphill walking (20–30 minutes each). Wear proper shoes, not flip-flops: the Albayzín cobblestones can be treacherous when wet. In summer, walk to the Alhambra in the early morning before the heat builds.

Munich

Munich has one of the best public transport systems in Europe, run under the unified MVV (Münchner Verkehrsgesellschaft) network that covers U-Bahn (metro), S-Bahn (suburban rail), tram, and bus on a single ticket. The network covers the entire metropolitan area across clearly defined concentric fare zones, and trains run every 5-10 minutes during peak hours. Timetables are reliable to the minute — missing a connection by 30 seconds is a legitimate frustration. The MVV app (or Google Maps) handles journey planning seamlessly. Buy a day ticket (Tageskarte) if making more than two trips; the Isarcard Week pass or the München Card (which includes museums) can offer additional value for visitors staying several days.

Walkability: The Altstadt (old town) is highly walkable with a pedestrianised core along Kaufingerstraße and Neuhauser Straße connecting Marienplatz to Karlsplatz. Most key sights — Frauenkirche, Residenz, Hofbräuhaus, Viktualienmarkt — are within 15 minutes on foot. Beyond the Altstadt, Munich is a large, spread-out city and public transport is more practical than walking.